Kansas Medicaid Long-Term Care Eligibility in 2025

Kansas Long Term Care in 2025

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In Kansas, Medicaid (KanCare) covers nearly 65% of all nursing home residents. Medicaid does not cover assisted living or continuing care retirement communities, except for skilled nursing units. Medicaid only pays for care in nursing homes or Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF-MR).

Kansas also provides programs like the Senior Care Act (SCA) for those 60 or older who can remain at home but need help with daily activities. Eligibility is determined through a functional assessment, and participants pay on a sliding fee scale or by donation based on income and assets.

Community and Home-Based Waivers:

Kansas offers several waivers for eligible individuals, including:

  • Autism Waiver
  • Frail Elderly Waiver
  • Intellectually/Developmentally Disabled Waiver
  • Physically Disabled Waiver
  • Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
  • Money Follows the Person Waiver
  • Technology Assisted Waiver

Eligibility for 2025:

  • Residency and Citizenship: Applicants must be Kansas residents and U.S. citizens or have proper immigration status.
  • Age/Disability: Applicants must be 65 years or older, blind, or disabled. Care may be provided at home or in a facility, depending on medical requirements.
  • Income Limitations:
    • Monthly income must not exceed 244% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
    • A personal needs allowance of $65 per month is excluded from income calculations.
    • Any income over $65 per month must be used to pay for care.
  • Asset Limitations (Exempt vs. Available):
    • Kansas Medicaid divides assets into exempt and available categories. Non-exempt assets must be liquidated and used to pay for care before Medicaid eligibility is granted.
    • A 5-year look-back period applies, penalizing asset transfers below fair market value or gifting.
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Exempt Assets in 2025 for an Applicant in Kansas:

  • $2,000 or less in cash or non-exempt assets if single.
  • Personal effects and household goods.
  • One home (equity limit $788,000) is exempt if:
    • The applicant intends to return home.
    • A spouse, child under 21, or disabled dependent resides there.
  • One motor vehicle, if it is:
    • Used for medical treatment or employment.
    • Modified for a disability.
    • The primary vehicle for the community spouse.
  • Funds for private health insurance.
  • Burial spaces and irrevocable prepaid burial trusts.
Spousal Rules for 2025:
  • Community Spouse Asset Allowance:
    • The community spouse may retain half of all non-exempt resources, with a minimum of $30,027 and a maximum of $152,020.
    • All non-exempt resources of both spouses are considered available to pay for care costs.
  • Community Spouse Income Protection:
    • If the community spouse’s income is less than $2,389 per month, they may retain part of the institutionalized spouse’s income to meet this amount.
    • Depending on living expenses, the maximum income the community spouse may retain is $3,898.50 per month.

The institutionalized spouse must contribute all income, except $65 per month, towards long-term care costs.

Kansas Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership for 2025:

Kansas participates in the Long Term Care Partnership Program, which allows policyholders to protect assets dollar-for-dollar based on the policy’s maximum benefit payout. For example:

A policy with a $165,000 benefit protects $165,000 in assets. Married couples must purchase individual policies to qualify.

Further Reading: